To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

FROM CITIZENS OF MADISON COUNTY TO MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen,
City of Canton
Canton, Mississippi
Dear Sirs:
Citizens of Madison County
838 Lute Street
Canton, Miss.
■
We the members of the Canton Movement feel the present racial situation
which now confronts Canton is very disturbing to everyone. Our concern
is for both white and black citizens and the progress of the City of
Canton.
The present situation is one to be concerned about. There is a total
disregard of the rights of Negroes. Two-thirds of the total population
of Canton is Negro, yet Negroes have no voice in city government, nor
do they represent any part of the law enforcement body. We are now
willing to discuss any matters you feel necessary and also something
which we feel involves the entire community.
To present any other action by either side we strongly suggest immediat.
consideration of the following:
1.
of
2.
3.
4.
5.
The registering of Negroes in Madison County and the policy
the registrar when registering Negroes.
Police brutality in and around Canton.
zone for the protection of Negro children.
sidewalks.
of Negroes in city government on a non-discriminatory
School
Public
Hiring
basis .
6. Removal of all segregation sighs from public places.
7* Desegregation of all public facilities.
8. Proposals to improve housing conditions,
9. The hiring of Negroes on the Canton police force, to be selectee
in consultation with the Madison County Movement.
10. A biracial committee to discuss improving race relations.
11, Integrate the
the people and not just
12. Prosecution of police
Chamber of
one
involved
Commerce so that
small segment.
it can represent all
in police brutality.
You gentlemen are responsible for the growth and welfare of our city;
therefore we look to you for solutions to these problems. As citizens
of Madison County, we are more than willing to assist in any way we
can.
We will expect to hear from you within the next nine days.
Respectfully yours,
Citizens of Madison County
see other side for more signatures

This Madison County-based folder includes the following items: Detailed "to-do" list for setting up the COFO/Madison County [Voter Registration] Movement in Canton. List of the Madison County Movement's Executive Committee. List of delegates and alternates from the Madison County MDFP. Officers of the Madison County Movement. A list of Ridley Hill delegates. Nominees to the July 25th [1964? MFDP?] convention. A convention resolution on better roads and better schools. A February 1964 report on contacts made in Camden, Mississippi, a predominantly African American community near Canton: the reports contains a list of the people contacted. A June 1964 "outline of committee work" details the preparations to be made by local African Americans for the arrival of Freedom Summer volunteers. Flyer for a 1965 Madison County MFDP convention. One press release describes a federal court order to county registrar Foote Campbell to apply the same voter registration standards to African Americans that he applies to whites. Another reveals that Foote Campbell has stated that he is out of voter registration forms for some weeks. A letter from the Canton Movement to Canton's mayor and aldermen regarding the status and treatment of African Americans there. A list of names for a picket line. The first issue of the Madison County Movement's newsletter, "Spotlight on Madison County" which discusses Foote Campbell's continued recalcitrance in complying with the federal court order on voter registration; lists the vote tally in the Whitley v. Collier election; rebukes African Americans who had registered but failed to vote in this election; and encourages local people to offer food and housing to marchers coming through Madison County on James Meredith's 1965 March Against Fear.

Copyright to these documents belongs to the individuals who created them or the organizations for which they worked. The principal organizations have been defunct for many years and copyright to their unpublished records is uncertain. We share them here strictly for non-profit educational purposes. We have attempted to contact individuals who created personal papers of significant length or importance. Nearly all have generously permitted us to include their work. If you believe that you possess copyright to material included here, please contact us at asklibrary@wisconsinhistory.org. Under the fair use provisions of the U.S. copyright law, teachers and students are free to reproduce any document for nonprofit classroom use. Commercial use of copyright-protected material is generally prohibited.

FROM CITIZENS OF MADISON COUNTY TO MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen,
City of Canton
Canton, Mississippi
Dear Sirs:
Citizens of Madison County
838 Lute Street
Canton, Miss.
■
We the members of the Canton Movement feel the present racial situation
which now confronts Canton is very disturbing to everyone. Our concern
is for both white and black citizens and the progress of the City of
Canton.
The present situation is one to be concerned about. There is a total
disregard of the rights of Negroes. Two-thirds of the total population
of Canton is Negro, yet Negroes have no voice in city government, nor
do they represent any part of the law enforcement body. We are now
willing to discuss any matters you feel necessary and also something
which we feel involves the entire community.
To present any other action by either side we strongly suggest immediat.
consideration of the following:
1.
of
2.
3.
4.
5.
The registering of Negroes in Madison County and the policy
the registrar when registering Negroes.
Police brutality in and around Canton.
zone for the protection of Negro children.
sidewalks.
of Negroes in city government on a non-discriminatory
School
Public
Hiring
basis .
6. Removal of all segregation sighs from public places.
7* Desegregation of all public facilities.
8. Proposals to improve housing conditions,
9. The hiring of Negroes on the Canton police force, to be selectee
in consultation with the Madison County Movement.
10. A biracial committee to discuss improving race relations.
11, Integrate the
the people and not just
12. Prosecution of police
Chamber of
one
involved
Commerce so that
small segment.
it can represent all
in police brutality.
You gentlemen are responsible for the growth and welfare of our city;
therefore we look to you for solutions to these problems. As citizens
of Madison County, we are more than willing to assist in any way we
can.
We will expect to hear from you within the next nine days.
Respectfully yours,
Citizens of Madison County
see other side for more signatures

Copyright to these documents belongs to the individuals who created them or the organizations for which they worked. The principal organizations have been defunct for many years and copyright to their unpublished records is uncertain. We share them here strictly for non-profit educational purposes. We have attempted to contact individuals who created personal papers of significant length or importance. Nearly all have generously permitted us to include their work. If you believe that you possess copyright to material included here, please contact us at asklibrary@wisconsinhistory.org. Under the fair use provisions of the U.S. copyright law, teachers and students are free to reproduce any document for nonprofit classroom use. Commercial use of copyright-protected material is generally prohibited.